Tag Archives: geek

Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in more than 50 cities across the globe during which several folks give 18-21-minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along. And there are often bands, acrobats, trivia, and other shenanigans as well. Imagine learning about everything from math feuds or the science of the Simpsons, to the genealogy of Godzilla or debunking beer myths. Fun, right? As nerds and non-nerds like to say, “Nerd Nite Is Like the Discovery Channel™…with Beer!”

Check your assumptions about where UM students live (and vote), consider the role games and related storytelling play in our lives, and wrestle with the question of why the hell we haven’t cured cancer yet.

Sure, this sounds like a LOT to consider, but we’ll have some adept, smart, and irreverent guides to the topics, all in February’s super-packed edition of Nerd Nite!

Grab a friend, grab a drink, and join us for another great edition of Nerd Nite!

Austen Hufford, Pat Sier: “Beyond South U: Where Students Live and Vote in Ann Arbor”
While we all think we know where U of M students live, it’s harder to find out than you’d think. Austen and Pat will go through their method of coming up with a solid picture, and discuss what this means for students and residents alike every election cycle in Ann Arbor.

About Austen and Pat:
Austen and Pat are U of M seniors studying economics and public policy respectively. Austen will be working in journalism this summer at the Wall Street Journal and Pat will be working in Chicago at a marketing technology company. Find Austen on twitter: @austenhufford

Ryan “Gorgon” Jurado: “Why We Watch: How Everything From Football to Mario entrances us”
Games are a form of storytelling as old, if not older, than language itself, but we rarely stop to think why some games succeed and some fail. What do college athletics–which, despite being non-professional games earn nearly $1 billion per year–have in common with a fifteen-year-old Pakistani boy playing video games in China for the first time… to the tune of 770 thousand live viewers and $3 million in prizes?

About Ryan “Gorgon” Jurado:
With professional experience in publishing, music performance, gaming, podcasting, and three majors split across two undergraduate degrees, Ryan “Gorgon” Jurado is what you might call a renaissance nerd. These days, he spends his time studying the burgeoning realm of online spectator games, often called eSports, in which he is a data analyst and live commentator for audiences of tens of thousands. You can find him on twitter: @gotcowdota

Yijung Yang: “Why the hell haven’t we cured cancer yet?”
As one of the leading causes of death in the US, cancer has long been the focal point of intense study and public interest. However, after millions of dollars and countless hours spent on cancer research, the silver bullet cure remains elusive. Have you ever wondered why? Join us as we delve into the intricate nature of the disease and the difficulties physicians and scientists face when treating a patient with cancer. Along the way, we will discuss the biological origins of cancer as well as its pathology, epidemiology, and potential therapeutic options currently under scrutiny.

About Yijung Yang:
Yang graduated from University of Maryland with a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. Then, after a two-year research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, moved to Ann Arbor to join the MD/PhD program at the University of Michigan, and is currently in the research phase of graduate training under the guidance of Dr. Diane Simeone, director of the Translational Oncology Program at UM.

A family-oriented weekend of boardgames and camaraderie. Nothing formal–no tournaments, no specific game times: play what you want, when you want (for as long as you want!). No problem if you want to organize something, though.

What is one of the myriad of things that come to your mind when you think of video games? Is it the awesome visuals that delight your eyes? What about the engrossing stories that draws you in? Or is it the fun gameplay that keeps you at it for periods of time ranging from minutes to marathon long hour sessions? How about the music? Spend enough quality time with a video game and the music will crawl into your ears and embed itself into your mind. Since video games have been around for 40 plus years, it is safe to say that numerous tunes and compositions have made their way into our hearts and minds over time. These beloved songs have inspired various covers that run that gamut of very distinct genres of music. Rock, metal, polka and piano are only a select few of the hundreds of covers out there for your audio enjoyment.

Immerse yourself in your favorite video games! From the makers of “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses,” this live concert experience takes gamers and non-gamers alike through the thematic stages of a hero’s journey, incorporating music from beloved franchises like Halo, Final Fantasy, Mass Effect, and much more. Dramatic gameplay footage is perfectly synced with live orchestra and chorus for an unforgettable concert adventure!

Get down or sit back with a drink and enjoy the music. Capitol Steam is proud to bring another gathering featuring Steampunk DJ, Van Helsteam.
Don’t miss this premiere event. There will be a suggested donation of $5 at the door. Your donation will be used to put on future events and entertainment. Don’t sweat it if you don’t have it. Our motto is to never turn a person away.
As usual; steampunk, ren, or pirate attire is suggested but not mandatory. Hope to see you again in February, it will be Febutastic!

Anime and gaming convention sums up AlmaCon. This con is organized by the Alma College Otaku and Gamers group. 2015 will mark the 5th year anniversary of this relatively new anime convention. The cost of admission: an expensive sum of $5 if you pre-register. Otherwise, it will be $5 at the door. Various screenings, events and panels to choose from. Mark it on your calendar.

Marmalade Dog is a gaming convention held by the Western Michigan Gamers Guild (WMGG) each year. The largest in SW Michigan, this gaming convention features role-playing games, card games, board games, miniature wargames and a variety of other events.

Nerd Niteis a monthly event held in more than 50 cities across the globe during which several folks give 18-21-minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along. And there are often bands, acrobats, trivia, and other shenanigans as well. Imagine learning about everything from math feuds or the science of the Simpsons, to the genealogy of Godzilla or debunking beer myths. Fun, right? As nerds and non-nerds like to say, “Nerd Nite Is Like the Discovery Channel™…with Beer!”

We all like a good story now and then, right? All the better if that story is something from our city’s collective past. Local history geek & author Patti Smith will take us on a tour of the Good the Bad and he Ornery in Tree Town’s past. Like the sound of that? Carl Engelke will expose us to different sounds — heroic trumpet fanfares — as he considers music and physics in the natural history of the trumpet. Finally, who couldn’t use an extra boost of self-confidence? Martial arts trainer Sal Sanfratello will illustrate how direct action and experimentation may help us become a little more balanced and courageous in our everyday lives.

Come out to this card, collectible and comic book show in Brighton. Former Detroit Tiger Mickey Stanley, who was a 1968 World Series Champion, will be there to sign stuff. Over 27 vendors to choose from and free admission at this first time event.